Word
proximate
Phoneticsprox·i·mate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹɑksəmət/
UK/pɹˈɒksɪmˌeɪt/
Definition
adj. very close in time, place, or order. You use it when something is just before or almost next to something else.
adj. Closest or most immediate in time, place, or causal sequence. Often denotes direct causation without intervening factors, as in discussion of legal responsibility.
Examples
“The proximate bus stop is just around the corner.”
“The report identifies the proximate cause of the outage as a failed transformer in the basement.”
“While poverty created the background conditions for unrest, historians point to the sudden tax increase as the proximate trigger that turned quiet anger into open protest.”
Examples
simple
“The proximate bus stop is just around the corner.”
contextual
“The report identifies the proximate cause of the outage as a failed transformer in the basement.”
complex
“While poverty created the background conditions for unrest, historians point to the sudden tax increase as the proximate trigger that turned quiet anger into open protest.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “proximate” in context.
Verb
01. become proximate
“As the storm approached, the ships became proximate to shore.”
verb + adj
02. lie proximate to
“The village lies proximate to the border crossing.”
verb + adj + prep
03. live proximate to
“Many commuters live proximate to the main railway line.”
verb + adj + prep
04. remain proximate
“Troops were ordered to remain proximate to the base overnight.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. closely proximate
“The hotel and conference venue are closely proximate for convenience.”
adv + adj
06. immediately proximate
“The two stations are immediately proximate, only a two-minute walk apart.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. proximate cause
“The court ruled that negligence was the proximate cause of the injury.”
adj + noun
08. proximate future
“No major policy change is expected in the proximate future.”
adj + noun
09. proximate goal
“Winning the regional final is our most proximate goal this season.”
adj + noun
10. proximate location
“Rescue teams searched every proximate location around the camp.”
adj + noun
11. in the proximate future
“The council plans to build two new schools in the proximate future.”
12. live proximate to the centre
“They live proximate to the centre, close to shops and transport.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often paired with 'cause' in legal contexts to mean direct cause.
Real-World Examples
“Maybe those comments, which received considerable coverage in Canada, were not the proximate cause for Carney's diplomats to pack up and go home over the weekend.” “But they rarely pointed to childhood as the proximate cause of the estrangement, instead citing the poor quality of their relationships with parents and other relatives in adulthood.” Etymology
From Late Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare (“to draw near, approach”), from Latin proximus (“nearest”), superlative of prope (“near”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/proximate